On June 6th, 2024 , the annual meeting on the implementation of the Swiss-Croatian Cooperation Programme and the Second Swiss Contribution was held. From the Swiss side, the meeting was attended by the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation and representatives of the Swiss Contribution Office at the Embassy, as well as representatives of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The Croatian side was represented by: Mr Domagoj Mikulić, State Secretary at the Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds, Ms Iva Novak, Director of the Directorate for Strategic Planning and Coordination of EU Funds, Ms Natalija Laštro, Head of Sector and members of the National Coordination Unit.
The meeting was opened by the State Secretary Domagoj Mikulić and the Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation H.E. Urs Hammer and they both expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Swiss-Croatian cooperation program and bilateral relations between the two countries. The Ambassador emphasized the positive impact of the First Swiss Contribution on Croatian society and the quality of life of citizens. The demining program was highlighted as a point of mutual benefit for Croatia and Switzerland, even more so given the challenges posed by the war in Ukraine.
As part of the review of progress within the Swiss-Croatian Cooperation Programme, risks, financial overview and planning, as well as communication activities that will be aimed at marking the closure of the programme, i.e. presenting achievements and results within the Cooperation Programme, were discussed. By the end of 2023, Croatia has withdrawn 91% of the allocation under the Swiss contribution, and up to 98% is expected by the end of 2024. The donors also approved the Annual Report on the Implementation of the Program for 2023.
The second part of the meeting was intended to review the progress within the Second Contribution, i.e. the preparation of the Support measure proposals (programs), the Description of the Management and Control System, possible risks and planned communication activities. The Annual Implementation Report for 2023 under the Second Swiss Contribution was also formally approved by donors.
In the second part of the day, meetings between donors and the National Coordination Unit were held with representatives of Croatian Waters and the Water Institute to discuss matters related to the Water and wastewater management in Gorski kotar Programme.
A day later, on June 7th, a field visit to Gorski Kotar followed to see the progress of works within the Water and wastewater management projects in Delnice, Fužine and Brod Moravice.
